Baby boomers jump on the digital nomad bandwagon

Is it possible to manage a business efficiently while overseas, perhaps in different time zones from your team? We look at how some enterprising senior leaders have embraced the digital nomad lifestyle and are successfully operating remotely.

It used to be that digital nomads were young male freelancers predominantly in the tech, communications and web industries, travelling with just a backpack and laptop, and looking for cheap hostels and a laid-back lifestyle. But in the last few years, there has been a huge shift from traditional working roles, with high-level executives, CEO- founders, and business owners breaking away from their office boundaries and seeking a new lifestyle untethered from physical spaces.

With remote working becoming increasingly mainstream, more people than ever are jumping on the bandwagon. Current estimates suggest that there are around 40 million remote workers worldwide, and according to the WYSE Travel Confederation, this is projected to rise to 60 million by 2030. With this change in office culture, the work-from-anywhere model is attracting other demographic groups, including professional couples and parents with their children, who are experimenting with variations on the theme such as “time-to-time”, “part-time” and “try-it-out” remote working. The number of companies offering 100% remote roles is increasing too; according to Forbes, in 2024 16% of companies worldwide operate fully remotely. Whether they’re employees, solopreneurs, entrepreneurs or CEOs, a growing number of business professionals are adopting a more “liquid” and location-independent lifestyle, combining work and wanderlust. Like Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, who in 2022 announced on Twitter that he was going to start living on Airbnb, “staying in a different town or city every couple weeks”. And Mauro Repacci, CEO of Boundless Life, has made it his mission to help families design their own digital nomad experience.

Marbella Mountain Resorts – our perspective

Closer to home, CEO and founder of Marbella Mountain Resorts, Luis Ponce, recounts that at the start of every year, he picks a different destination – usually a big city – where he goes to reflect and strategize on the year ahead, like an artist crafting his new business plan, working from cafés filled with unfamiliar faces.

Many of Marbella Mountain Resorts’ clients are business owners and senior executives who have delegated the operational management side of their companies to the next generation. They are free to travel wherever they want to focus on strategy and/or the financial management of the company, serving boards of directors remotely. These clients rent our luxury villas in Marbella with hotel services for average stays of 2-3 months every year,  benefiting from the different spaces within the same home, such as a fully equipped office, spa, movie theatre, and gym.

So, what is it that lures CEOs, founders, high-level executives and business owners to become digital nomads and rent luxury villas in Marbella?

Freedom: the overarching benefit of digital nomadism is the freedom and flexibility that comes with “anywhere” working, making it possible to create a lifestyle that blends business and luxury travel, and even family life. The freedom and convenience of renting a luxury house in Marbella can also open the floodgates of creativity, helping entrepreneurs to disconnect and gain clarity to maximise strategic thinking and map out new approaches to their business.

Mobility: digital nomadism goes beyond the limitations of workcations or “bleisure” travel, which are often for a fixed, short-term period. CEOs, along with their remote working teams, have the freedom to choose where they work and how long they stay. New trends such as flex living, and co-living are reshaping the way people live and work and creating demand for more flexible living spaces that can be adapted to different preferences and needs.

Increased productivity: having broken free from the drudgery of the rat race, digital nomad entrepreneurs are often highly motivated to succeed. Working in inspiring or novel destinations can remove the blinkers of stale thinking and lead to creative solutions and success. And with the rising number of remote workers, new networking opportunities are opening up which can bring about fruitful connections.

Job satisfaction: liberated from the constraints of a physical office and a culture of presenteeism, digital nomad business owners can experience a sense of empowerment that leads to greater work-life balance and fulfilment. Many companies are now offering their remote workers perks and incentives such as flexible hours, company retreats, education stipends, co-workspace reimbursements, remote work expenses, paid time off, country-specific benefits, and other highly attractive compensation packages.

Work-Family balance: being a digital nomad no longer has to mean leaving the family behind for weeks or months on end. The freedom to schedule their own hours and plan their working day around family activities means that CEOs can spend quality time with their family and avoid missing out on significant milestones or special moments.

Broadening horizons: working in locations that are culturally diverse can open the doors to a world of adventures and learning opportunities – a journey that can ultimately lead to self-realisation and transformation. And what better way to create cherished memories than experiencing new cultures with loved-ones?

How is the landscape changing for digital nomad entrepreneurs?

More and more countries are now realising the benefits of offering digital nomad schemes: according to Statista, 42 countries currently offer some kind of remote working visa. Spain is in the process of passing its Ley de Startups (Startup Act), which will allow eligible non-EU citizens to stay in the country for a maximum of five years.

Businesses are beginning to understand the need for solid infrastructure and facilities that cater to the new breed of digital nomad entrepreneurs: private and safe luxury accommodation with the right combination of comfort and practicality; designated workspaces with office furniture and equipment; fast, stable and secure Wi-Fi; and nearby luxurious facilities and services that can help create the perfect balance between productivity and indulgence.

Marbella Mountain Resorts: responding to the needs of digital nomad entrepreneurs

As experts in the luxury tourism industry, we have our finger on the pulse of trends and changes in the sector. Many of our clients are embracing the digital nomad lifestyle and looking for flexibility and functionality, the creature comforts and luxuries they’re used to at home, and the opportunity to enjoy new adventures and cultural experiences.

Marbella Mountain Resorts is responding to these needs with our new Flex Luxury Living, an exclusive extended-stay formula that saves you time, effort and money.

Flexibility: you choose where and how long you stay. There are no long-winded contracts to sign or high deposits to pay.

Functionality: we set up your luxury villa with all the necessary facilities to ensure a seamless remote working experience. Maintenance, cleaning and concierge services are included so that you can focus on your business.

Cost reduction & control: the longer you stay, the higher the discount you receive on rental. All services and utilities are included in your monthly bill, avoiding spiralling costs and giving you total peace of mind.

Luxury living: once the working day is over, you can enjoy the lavish facilities in your luxury villa or explore everything Marbella has to offer, from pristine beaches to championship golf courses, fine dining to designer shopping, and so much more. You benefit from the same privileges and exclusivity as our villa owners, including the privacy and security that every one of our luxury residences guarantees.

Family living: we make it easy for our business clients to bring their family too. Our luxury villas in Marbella make the perfect office and home from home, and many of our clients stay for several months to combine work and family time. We create a personalised office according to their requirements, and the whole family benefits from the luxurious facilities and concierge service we provide. It’s family living with all the perks of a luxury hotel but the whole hotel is reserved just for you!

Reimagining work and play

The rise in this new model of digital nomadism and remote working is redefining the luxury travel sector. No longer constrained by the boundaries of traditional business, digital nomads, business owners, CEOs and founders can reinvent themselves and create a personalised career path that combines entrepreneurial success and personal fulfilment. These new agile and mobile ways of working can be transformative, giving people more autonomy in their professional and private lives that ultimately makes them happier and healthier. Digital nomadism can pave the way to a more meaningful life full of opportunities to explore, learn and reconnect with what’s important.

Are you tempted to dip your toe in the waters of digital nomadism? Get in touch and let us help you embark on your tailored remote working adventure in Marbella.